School Programs

Bring academic content to life!

Students engage hands-on in our 626-acre outdoor classroom, encompassing livestock barns, fruit and vegetable plots, pastures, year-round greenhouses, forests, educational gardens, and rocky shoreline. Programs change with the season and with what’s happening on the farm.

A trip to Wolfe’s Neck Center isn’t your average field trip. We will take your students out of the classroom to get up close and in depth on our working coastal farm. We specialize in immersive and hands-on outdoor education around farming and food for a learning experience your students won’t forget. 

Field trips are offered on Tuesday through Friday depending on availability. We have a variety of programs and themes for different ages of students. While we have age and program recommendations, we are happy to work with schools to customize your experience when possible, so it fits your classes needs! 

Field trips start at $12 per participant and start at approximately 1 ½ hours long. Field trips that involve food, wagon rides, or are longer than the standard 1 ½ hours will be at a higher cost per student. Groups of 10 students or under will be charged a flat rate of $120. We do our best to offer scholarships to school programs when possible – please include this request within your interest form. 

 

 

Preschool & Early Learners (Pre-K – 1st Grade)

Farm Explorers – Our dairy cows and livestock all have a special role on the farm. From milk and eggs to fur and fiber, our animals have important jobs! We’ll learn about what our animals’ roles are, and how our farmers keep the happy and healthy here at WNC.
Key Concepts: Animal lifecycles, what animals need, animal adaptations 

Dairy Discovery – Join us as we take a closer look at our milk makers. We’ll learn about what life as a dairy cow is all about, how our farmers milk our herd, and even make our own dairy product – butter! (Field Trip can be adapted into Ice Cream Making for $2 extra per student) 

Key Concepts: Dairy, animal lifecycles, what animals need, animal adaptations 

Fantastic Fruits – Learn all about how delicious fruits start as tiny seeds and grow into some of our favorite foods! We’ll look at seeds, soil, and even dissect some fruits to learn about what’s inside! 

Key Concepts: Seeds, parts of a plant, pollination, fruit trees 

Pumpkin Science (October only) It’s fall which means it’s Jack O’ Lantern season! But where do these big orange pumpkins even come from? Our educators will lead you in the lifecycle of a pumpkin, starting with seeds, pollination, and beyond! (Take home small pumpkins $3 extra per student) 

Key Concepts: Seeds, parts of a plant, pollination, seasons 

Farming in the Seasons – Wolfe’s Neck looks different throughout the year, so join us in exploring the seasonality of our farm. Each season’s program looks different! 

Key Concepts: What animals need, animal adaptations, seasons, weather 

  

*We know our preschool aged field trips are a popular visit for parents and guardians as well. Because of this, adults outside of the 1 to 6 ratio will be charged as extra participants. Thank you for understanding.  

Middle Learners (2nd – 6th Grade)

Gardens & Greenhouses Wolfe’s Neck is home to 6 acres of organic fruit and vegetable production. Without using any fertilizers, we grow everything from lettuce and peas to tomatoes and peaches. We’ll tour both our outdoor growing areas and indoor greenhouses to learn how seeds become salads! 

Key Concepts: Organic gardening, soil, seeds, greenhouses, fruits vs. vegetables, pollinators  

Maine Ecosystems Wolfe’s Neck Center’s 600 acres are home to a variety of different ecosystems. We’ll explore how our grassland pastures transition into new growth forest, and how the saltwater estuary and marsh spill out into Casco Bay. 

Focus Options: Marsh Madness, Tide Pooling, Forest Ecology 

Key Concepts: Maine’s Ecosystems, Habitats, Biodiversity – Any of these four ecosystems can also be the focus of an entire program 

Dairy Discovery We operate a unique grass and pasture focused dairy program where we milk our cows for both raw milk and for Stonyfield Yogurt. We’ll get a chance to learn all about the lifecycle of our dairy cows, how they graze on grass to make high protein milk, and even get a chance to make and taste our own butter. 

Key Concepts: Dairy animals, grazing & pastures, animal lifecycle, digestive systems 

Cheese Making – (Maximum 18 students) Students will learn how to make a fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk cheese while learning how to raise our dairy herd at WNC, what ‘dairy’ is, and the process and chemistry of cheese making. 

Key Concepts: Dairy Animals, Food Production, Science of Cheesemaking, Cooking 

Older Learners (7th – 12th Grade)

Cows Fighting Climate Change You’ve probably overheard that cows produce lots of greenhouse gases – but that’s not the whole story! Over the past 4 years, Wolfe’s Neck Center has been part of a large collaborative project to explore how we add seaweed to our cows’ diet to reduce the amount of gas they produce. And one hint – it’s not from their farts 

Key Concepts: Greenhouse gasses & their effect, methane, human digestion, ruminant digestion, scientific process 

Pastures for the Planet: Capturing Carbon  

Wolfe’s Neck Center raises cattle and other livestock in a pasture-based system. In doing so, we play an important part in the carbon cycle, and specifically carbon sequestration. Students will learn about the importance of pasture management, and how healthy pastures can help store carbon back in our soils while creating healthy, sustainable food 

Key Concepts: The Carbon Cycle, Carbon Sequestration, Pastures, Rotational Grazing 

Marshes & Coastal Ecology of Maine 

Wolfe’s Neck Center is along the coast, with a saltwater marsh and estuary within the property’s bounds. Students will learn about what makes these ecosystems unique, the biodiversity of the plants and animals one might find there, and their importance for the climate and to people. 

Key Concepts: Ecology, Maine Flora and Fauna, Biodiversity, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change 

Let’s Regenerate!  

What is regenerative agriculture? Students will learn about some of the practices that farms implement to regenerate soil health, and why that is important for the soil, the food system, and our planet. 

Key Concepts: Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, Climate Change 

Cheese Making (Maximum 18 students) Students will learn how to make a fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk cheese while learning how to raise our dairy herd at WNC, what ‘dairy’ is, and the process and chemistry of cheese making. 

Key Concepts: Dairy Animals, Food Production, Science of Cheesemaking, Cooking 

Wolfe's Neck 'Farm to Classroom' Programs

In 2024, we are happy to announce our first ever Wolfe’s Neck ‘Farm to Classroom’ Programs. Our staff will head to your classroom and bring hands-on farm education experience within the walls of your school.  

At this time, we are only offering programs for elementary and preschool ages. Please stay tuned for updates! 

Please reach out to mmessina@wolfesneck.org for information! 

Field Trips FAQ

Can parents/guardians attend with their children?

Due to the nature of Wolfe’s Neck Center being a working farm, tours are limited to 40 participants, which includes all students, chaperones, and parents/guardians.

What if it rains?

Our field trips take place rain or shine! There is indoor space in the unheated barns for activities, but please make sure students come dressed for the weather.

What should we wear?

Students, teachers, and chaperones should all wear clothes to be outside, whatever the season. Field trips rarely go inside any buildings but our unheated barns. It’s also a good idea to wear boots or sneakers you wouldn’t mind getting mud, or a bit of manure on (It is a farm, after all!).

Can we have lunch on campus?

You are more than welcome to eat your lunch here on the farm. We cannot guarantee a covered space, but we have lots of picnic tables and benches around the property. We do ask for groups to pack out all their trash. Fridge space is unfortunately not available.

Can you accommodate special requests about specific aspects of farming?

We do our best to try and tailor our field trips for your students to get the most out of their experience. Please complete this form with the date, number of students, and what type of experience you’re requesting, and we can do our best to accommodate you.

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